The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-07-23
OXFORD CAMP.
Some Notes by One of the Boys.

The members and friends of the Forest and
Stream Club have returned home from their
ten days camp at Oxford, Talbot county,
where they spent most jolly time on the
banks of the Tired Avon, tributary of the
Choptank. They pitched their tents on the
grounds Of DR.. Hardcastle and used the resi-
denee thereon for accommodations at night.
This beautiful and well shaded lawn is directly
opposite Oxford, one mile of water interven-
ing, and Just below the camp the Choptank is
three or four miles wide. Free from malaria
and mosquitoes from the care of business and
restraints of society, and surrounded with all
the comforts and conveniences that could be
desired TO satisfy the outer and inner man,
the situation was most enjoyable. The con.
slant breeze across the river, shade, interest
ing games, cunning and pigeon shooting, the
daily sails on the famous bugeye, skiltully
managed by Capt. Gideon, the gay company,
endless jokes, the excellent dinners, the lem
onade, livery straight) the courtesy of many
visitors-all contributed to give us an endless
round of pleasure. II is impossible to catch
and pencil the thousand echoes reverberating
through the forest, over the river and across
the plain, or to print the sweet soft words with
which the thoughtless youths mashed the
hearts of some of the ladies at the Oxford
hotel. 1t may not be prudent to recall the
evening of the first dance across the river,
when two of our fastidious young men, with
excellent taste, selected beautiful pair of
red birds, whose sweet cadence touched the
tender chord of sentiment and made hopeless
wrecks of seeming impregnable hearts. The
first intimation that we had OF the conquest
came to us as they rowed across the river at
midnight-"Here we come, red light on the
starboard side" Nor were these all the con-
quests made. Almost every man, from our
bachelor friend, who introduced himself to
the ladies as mot very pretty, but awful
nice,'' down to the little doctor, who pre-
scribed for poor negro suffering from typhoid
fever dose of calomel and jujube paste in
case of "acceleratedn fever in the evening,
found himself an easy victim to the cunning
wiles and sickening smiles, alluring him across
the river. Our druggist, after carefully pre-
pairing his toilet, not forgetting the fragrant
soz0dont 10 sweeten his breath, completely
paralyzed one of the fair DANES who danced
with him, or perhaps her nerves were affected
with the sweet fragrance attending his words.
The ladies always thoughtful of our comfort
and pleasure were so solicitous for our well
fare that they viewed us, across the river at
regular intervals, through large glass.
The courtesy of the people on the Eastern
Shore was only exceeded by one OF the COM
mittee, who offered the services Of his straw
berry blonde friend to nurse the chubby black
baby of Capt. Koote, while she shucked oys.
tiers for US. Declined with thanks.
We will not soon forget that game of base
ball at Oxford. Our club was selected with
care, and when in the field presented an APP
pearance that would make st. Louis quake
with fear. But the confidence of the Oxford
boys was restored after making thirteen runs
the first inning, and they were really sanguine
of winning the game. The features of the
contest are too numerous to mention, but the
| clever manner in which the short stop ran
| from the ball, the dispute between the left
fielder and dog in a neighboring yard, as to
the ownership of the ball the brilliant throw
of the third baseman, the graceful catch of
| the centre fielder, the unusual activity Of the
second baseman, the magnificent stop of the
| FIRST baseman, or rather of the fence behind
him; the good temper of the pitcher-pre-
scented attractions rarely seen in single game.
Perhaps the greatest man on the nine was the
right fielder-the only great and original
Schaeffer,-who having design upon the
widow. refused to have his complexion spoiled,
and very thoughtfully enjoyed the sport from
under shade tree, where he stood beckoning
for the ball. He did not then know that she
had already stated her preference for the big
second baseman.
One day, while standing on shore, a strange
looking animal appeared on the water. Some
thought it to be the devil carrying an internal
machine, others huge porpoise, some sea
lion with wings, few a nautilus, with sails
spread, ETC. The first impulse was to shoot
it, but for fear it might only enrage the mon
ster and cause it to come over and swallow up
the whole camp, we desisted. Nearer and
nearer it came, its broad wings tapping in the
air, its gigantic fins striking the water as if
battling with shark. Our excitement mo-
mentarily increased Consider our relief
when it turned out to be Rhoddy, gracefully
stemming the tide from Oxford. With four
of his celebrated swimming machines he had
constructed raft, thoughtfully protecting his
upturned face with white canopy, and pro-
polling himself with pair of hinged snow
shoyels attached to his feet. What great
thing this would be for drowning man if he
were only thoughtful enough to take strings
along to tie himself on it.
One of the most amusing specimens of the
descendants of Ham was little George, who,
in white apron, was utilized as a seryitor OF
the club, and earnestly proclaimed his inten-
ton to have himself His bright replies to
the badinage of the members of the club were
quite amusing. The evening concerts of the
sable minstrels, domeiled on the premises,
with banjo accompaniment, were quite enjoy
able
The rides on the bay to and from the camp
were very enjoyable, Capt. Wright of the
Choptank adding much to our pleasure by his
kind and courteous manner.
We were visited during camp by number
of ladies from Oxford, Col. and Mrs. Stewart,
Col. Low, Hon. Jos. B. Seth, Messrs. Denney,
Mr. Bartlett, Prof. VIM. S. Grouse and +.
Il. Gibson, editor of St. Michaels Comet, and
Others